May 20, 2002	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1423

DHAKA, May 19: Bangladesh on Sunday ordered eight satellite television channels off air because of the networks’ influence on the nation’s religious and social values.

The music networks MTV and Channel ‘V’ were banned until further notice, along with the movie or entertainment channels HBO, MGM, Hallmark, AXN, Star Movies and Star World.

The decision came after Information Minister Tariqul Islam met with local cable operators about the networks’ alleged “cultural infiltration” of Bangladesh.

The operators also agreed to stop broadcasting a number of foreign channels aired free of charge, including Italy’s RAI, Russia’s PTP, Spain’s TVE and the British-based SNTV.

Islam told the broadcasters that more networks could be banned or blocked depending on public demand, a spokesman said.—AFP